Category Archives: Faith

Powerful Aspect of Prayer

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…we read this, said by Jesus after His resurrection:

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.'” Mark 16:15-18

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Yesterday’s post by Kim Potter, at A New Thing Ministries, told of an instance related some years ago by a mother who was interviewed on a morning television show. Her seven-year old son had been playing alone out in the yard one day when he was attacked by a mountain lion. Immediately, upon hearing the ruckus, she ran out to separate them; but her strength wasn’t powerful enough against the lion. As a believer in Christ and the believer’s ability to pray in tongues, or pray in the Spirit, she began to do so. She shared, “Three sentences into praying in the Spirit, the lion released my son and ran away.” What a demonstration of the power of praying in tongues….

Kim’s article shared these scriptures:

1 Corinthians 14:2: For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

John 16:13: Jesus said, However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Ephesians 6:18:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit….

Romans 8:26: Paul said, For when we do not know what to pray, the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us. 

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The following are simple notes that I took from a message on praying in tongues given at Covenant Family, a church listed below. It explains…

Praying in tongues helps you to pray longer…to pray much…without ceasing….to pray without words…. (Remember, Jesus wanted His disciples to pray with Him one hour…)

tongues are a strong avenue for prayer, communicating with God

helps you in overcoming the flesh….

praying in tongues causes you to pray beyond your own thinking….the Holy Spirit does perfect praying….

In John 7, Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him… They basically were saying “Go to Judea and prove Yourself there…” but Jesus only was guided by His Father’s direction and timing…

God’s plans for our lives are timing dependent… We must seek the Lord on it… Praying in tongues helps us synchronize with God’s timing….

In Acts 16:6-10, the Holy Spirit forbade or blocked certain routes… Some translations say “the Spirit of Jesus”… That night Paul had a vision…directing him to go to Macedonia… The vision gave him the map or plan…

Holy Ghost prayer will get you to where you’ll know for sure….(God’s direction in any matter of life)

Praying in tongues makes us sensitive to God’s plan(s)….

You dictate when the utterance comes… It will give us boldness in sharing the Lord…

In Acts 2:14, Peter, on the day of Pentecost, shared with the people regarding the filling of the Holy Spirit… “This is that, which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” (Acts 2:17-21) The people had said, “We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” A wonderful work of God is praying in tongues… (3,000 came to know the Lord, Acts 2)

In Acts 3, the man at the Beautiful Gate was healed….(5,000 came to the Lord). Peter and John were taken into custody, then were released and came to their own companions and prayed… Acts 4:29-31: “‘Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” 

We are to be overflowing with the Holy Ghost. The end time is a prophesying generation…

Matthew 26:69-75 relates Peter’s denial about knowing Jesus. But he went on to win souls after he was filled with the Holy Spirit…

Praying in tongues is getting drunk in the new wine (the Holy Ghost)…

Drink the Spirit of God… Use “draws” of Him…from the well, through speaking/praying in tongues… You’ll start feeling His presence….

In Acts 19:1-7, Paul at Ephesus found some disciples and asked them “‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ So they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”… And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.”

Preachers with most notable miracles (of healing) are certainly always baptized in the Holy Ghost.

Praying in tongues…from 1 Corinthians 14:15-17… spirit and understanding… you’re blessing God… “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Commune with the Lord daily…speaking in other tongues… Purpose in your heart to start praying in tongues…..

Then (after the message) came a Word from the Lord on how He has ordained, by such, to work through His people…

The notes above are from a message given at Covenant Family Church, pastored by Keith Eggert. It was given by Dan Walter, who has been much involved in the healing ministry. Further messages on the ministry of the Holy Spirit or other topics are available in the website archives. http://www.covenantfamily.cc

For reading material, you could visit http://www.rhema.org and browse their bookstore (recommend “Why Tongues” booklet) or other teaching books and articles.

The Kim Potter article referenced above was featured at: http://www.anewthingministries.com

While we may not always see the power behind praying in the Spirit, as in the lion account above, we can be sure it is a powerful aspect of prayer to use and grow in.

P. A. Oltrogge

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, Israel

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Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem
A Song of Ascents, of David

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Our feet are standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, that is built
As a city that is compact together;
To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord–
An ordinance for Israel–
To give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For there thrones were set for judgment,…
The thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek your good.

Psalm 122 NASB

Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 135:21 NASB

And continue to pray for true wisdom from God for leadership in America and that of nations throughout the earth, with a reversal of policies that oppose His word and wisdom…

He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

Proverbs 4:4-9 NKJV

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Teaching this week on Spirit, Soul, and Body at http://www.awmi.net

Pathways Walked with Mom

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Pathways of love,
pathways where you guided–
sweet memories of those pathways,
dear Mother, you’ve provided.

Much like a gardener,
you tended to my care–
weeding out some tendencies,
while cultivating those that were fair.

And if there were problems
at school or at play,
the pathway to Mom’s door
would help them go away.

Best of all, we walked pathways
which caused my spirit to be fed
with the truths in God’s Word,
so that by His Spirit I’d be led.

Now as I go about, on my own pathways since I’ve grown,
I’m grateful for the pathways that together we’d known.

P. A. Oltrogge

Photo/Porch of the Lord

(The white stone borders along the flowers in this photo brought to mind the concept of the pathways in the poem. Hope you enjoy the blooms in the photo, which was taken by my daughter.)

Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom His world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

Hymn by M. Rinkart, C. Winkworth

…praying today for all mothers….

Be Anxious for Nothing

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It can be difficult not to be anxious when a problem seems very intense. But keeping faith in the God of the Bible (and the universe) is the only thing that makes sense.

Cast your worries and cares, that the Lord knows of, over completely upon Him, trusting He knows how to work things out, even if, to you, hope seems dim.

Believe in the mercy and grace of God as expressed through Jesus, His Son…who went about healing and doing good, sharing God’s love with everyone.

Close the door on all fear–speak the promises of God, which make the believer secure. Remember we’ve a covenant with God through Christ’s blood–of that fact, we can always be sure.

Cry out to the Lord if things are overwhelming–Peter did, in a time of fright. Jesus reached out and kept him from sinking during his walk on the water that night.

God created all of the mountain peaks and sends flowers to bloom on a plain. He made the vast waters of the oceans–yet designed the intricacies of the human brain.

From mountain heights to the deep sea depths, He put everything together… Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” Rely on His peace through whatever storm that you weather.

P. A. Oltrogge

And a postscript:
At those times of anxiety, worry, or doubt, believe for the good that GOD’s bringing about.

To some, these thoughts might sound simplistic, but they’re based on words that are God’s. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” He can help us against all odds.

Scriptures that encourage:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

Meditate on These Things

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8

“Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God. There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” Hebrews 7:22-25 NLT

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37

“When I cry out to you, then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.” Psalm 56:9 (and many other scriptures, especially in the Psalms, on crying out to the Lord)

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Only be strong and very courageous….” Joshua 1:7

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“So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’” Matthew 17:20

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“Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.’

“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.'” Mark 11:20-24

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“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear.

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’

“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’

“So He said, ‘Come.’  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’

“And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

“Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.'” Matthew 14:25-33

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Keep your eyes on Jesus…

“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Minister Mark Hankins has challenged believers with, “If you knew what was beyond your “mountain,” (problem), you would praise God to a much greater extent.”

The Depth of My Love

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“As I Have Loved You” by Greg Olsen. Used with Permission.  http://www.GregOlsen.com

What do you think drove me from heaven above
down to this earth? It was the depth of my love.
Betrayed by a kiss, a symbol of such–
yet what drove me on was that I loved you so much.
When they led me away and gave me a shove,
what kept me going was the depth of my love.
They gave me a trial, but it was not just–
bitter to go through, but my heart said, “I must.”
A crown of thorns pushed down with a glove,
it bruised my head to show the depth of my love.
The whipping I took for sin in your place,
I found strength to take because I saw your face.
I’ve loved you, I’ve called you–you are my dove,
for whom I laid down my life with the depth of my love.
The weight of the cross became hard to bear–
I staggered but made it to Calvary there.
On those merciless beams, my hands and feet were nailed down.
Next, I was put on display to be mocked throughout town.
Then came the time of greatest agony and despair,
when I felt forsaken but still kept my care
for all of mankind and, yes, just for you.
For your welfare and soul, I had made it through.
So what kept me going when push came to shove?
From your “down to earth” God, it was the depth of my love.
Though your sins be as scarlet, they’ll be white as snow.
They’re forgiven and forgotten and now you can grow
in the knowledge and wisdom that comes from above,
and my Word will remind you of the depth of my love.

P. A. Oltrogge

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:9-10

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21

Scriptures: NKJV

Teaching on prayer this week at http://www.awmi.net

Carriers of the Glory

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A few scriptures are listed below from the message by Pastor George Pearsons yesterday, May 7th, at Eagle Mountain International Church. It can be viewed at http://www.emic.org

Also related before the message were efforts by the church through which they’ve blessed Israel, including photos taken in that country.

“Arise! Shine! Your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has dawned. Darkness now covers the earth, and thick darkness covers the nations. But the Lord dawns, and his glory appears over you.” Isaiah 60:1-2 GW

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—” John 17:22 NIV

“The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by.  Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.” Acts 5:12-16 NLT

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5 NKJV

“Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 AMPC

Pastor George was sharing with believers of today about being carriers of the Lord’s glory.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

Qualified through Christ

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Photo/Porch of the Lord

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9-14 NASB

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name….” John 1:12

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (and all of John 17)

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6

If you’ve happened to come upon this blog:

I pray you’ll understand fully the importance of the good news. God has given you an offer, which is much too wonderful to refuse…

Receive of God’s forgiveness and goodness for all time. Of the many decisions you’ll make in life, this one is prime.

P. A. Oltrogge

Get Your Hopes Up

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Be blessed to hear “Get Your Hopes Up,” a present series at http://www.covenantfamily.cc

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

If you’re pressed for time, Part 2 seemed especially encouraging to me, though both are good…

(P. A. Oltrogge)

Messages by Pastor Keith Eggert,
of Covenant Family Church (Click on “Media”)

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 42:11

…praying for you, a follower/friend of this blog….

God’s Perfect Love in an Imperfect World

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“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:18-19 NKJV

Let God’s perfect love cast out any and all fear. Jesus said to have faith in God and to be of good cheer!

Anxiety in the heart weighs it down. Thank the Lord for answered prayer, instead–that He is turning things around…

Reversals may not seem possible, the world being an imperfect place…but, remember, where sin abounded, there did, much more, God’s amazing grace!

P. A. Oltrogge

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25 NASB

“Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:3-4 NLT

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’” Matthew 14:27

“Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20-21

“… I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.'” Mark 11:22

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 42:11 and 43:5

Yours is the Good Shepherd…

Out of the darkness, into His light

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Jesus was teaching in the temple when some scribes and Pharisees approached, bringing a woman who’d been caught in adultery, who they thoroughly had reproached.

Setting her down before Him, they brought up the command that she be stoned; and what were His thoughts on that—should Moses’ law now be condoned?

Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground, as though He didn’t hear. Soon the woman would find, through Christ, her deliverance from a death fear.

So when they persisted in asking Him, she surely was fearing the worst. But He said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

He again stooped down to write—perhaps knowledge of the sins of those accusing. They began to all leave, then, one by one, knowing their own sins they couldn’t be excusing.

Jesus stood up then, seeing only the woman, left there in the midst of the crowd. He asked her where her accusers had gone, their condemnation having been so loud.

“Has no one condemned you?” Jesus asked. “No one, Lord.” Not one of them had stayed. Then He said He didn’t either, but to go and sin no more. She received pardon despite having strayed.

After this event, Jesus declared that He was this world’s light…and that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but, through Him, will “see” to live right.

P. A. Oltrogge

(poetically related from reading the actual account in John 8:1-12)

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